Once in a while an idea takes hold of me and won't leave me alone until I express it in paint. "Anticipation" is one of those got-me by-the-throat paintings. It took a year and a half for me to find a second-hand wedding dress (that I could afford) to use as a prop, but the time waiting for the right dress to come along allowed me to ruminate over, plan and dream this painting. Consequently I had time to think about what I wanted to say with it, and how I could use symbolism to expand on a central theme.
 
Some of the symbolism is personal, for instance I have used multiples of three (3 women, 3 buttons, 3 candles etc) because I think 3 has a perfect balance and denotes cycles. It has always been a magic number for me personally. Other symbols, like the hearth are more universal. The hearth is the heart of the home for instance. The framed map symbolizes a plotted course, plans for the future and knowing your way. The other frame holds an image of ships at sea, a much more subtle reminder that storms may arise.
 
My daughter posed as the bride-to-be and I think that her long almost white, blond hair lends the bride an air of innocence, while her demeanor is poised and patient. She is in her under-garments to show her vulnerability and courage as she faces her future. I have her looking over her shoulder and although she appears to be looking out towards the viewer, she is actually looking at the woman who stands in the doorway that is in the reflected in the mirror.

Using a convex mirror allowed me to symbolize a larger world and remind us to reflect before making big decisions. Of course it is also a nod towards the great artists of the past, a small thank you to those that have gone before. I posed as the woman in the mirror.

The wooden stool that sits beside the seamstress (my sister posed for this figure) holds three buttons as well as the thread and scissors. The stool is made of the packing crate that held my parents belongings when they crossed the sea to come to Canada as newly weds. My father built 2 of these stools and cut the heart shapes in the side. So the stool is about making do when you need to and relying on your own ingenuity.
 
I only tackle big genre painting like this once in a while, but I find the greatest satisfaction in building these layers of meaning into a painting, regardless of whether the viewer is aware of them. I think they add to the overall feel of the work by focusing my own intention, allowing me to go in deeply to my subject.

Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art is known for their upscale selction of paintings and sculpture. Spread through the 2 story, seven room art gallery are oil paintings, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, and more. You'll fine landscapes, still life, abstract, realism, surrealizm, and representational works on canvas, bronze, wood, bonded bronze, and resin castings.

We pride the quality and workmanship of our custom picture framing services performed on the premises. Conservation framing, shadow box framing, object framing, pictures, photographs, oi; paintings, pastel paintings, watercolor paintings, acrylic paintings, and more. Matting by bainbridge and crescent, frame mouldings by larson juhl, museum glass, conservation glass, and acrylic glazing is available.